Hause announced his retirement from coaching after 26 years with the Bulldogs at the conclusion of the BCIAA Boys Individual Bowling Tournament.

Hause went out a winner after freshman Jesse Straka came from behind to win the county championship.

Straka came into the second round in sixth place, 51 pins behind the leader, Hamburg junior Bryan Reinsel.

But as the second round progressed, Reinsel’s lead was reduced to three pins over Straka going into the eighth and last game of the tournament.

Straka finished with scores of 264, 226, 237 and 258 for a total of 1,893; Reinsel rolled games of 228, 227, 226 and 247 for 1,887 to place second.

Rounding out the top six and receiving medals were Daniel Boone’s Kory Schlegel at 1,841, Gov. Mifflin’s Jayson Ulrich at 1,836, Daniel Boone’s Zack Raneiri at 1,834 and Oley Valley’s Andrew Eckert at 1,777.

Twin Valley’s Jon Florence also had a good day by rolling a 300. He was the third boys bowler — Reinsel and Schlegel were the others — to do it this season.

“He (Straka) bowled real consistent today,” Hause said. “He was only three pins behind to set up that final game. There was an 11-pin difference in that final game. He has a pretty good future. He bowled well this year. He never had a breakthrough series, but I knew he could do it. I’m very happy to go out on that note.”

Straka felt confident he could win the tournament going in and didn’t feel his youth and inexperience was a disadvantage.

“I just tried to remain calm and stay with it,” said Straka, the first freshman to win the championship since Conrad Weiser’s Travis Celmer in 2004. “I feel I’m a good bowler. I just hoped for the best in that last game.”

Reinsel was disappointed he didn’t hang on in the final game, but was consoled by Hamburg winning the team championship. Wilson was second.

Reinsel rolled his first scholastic 300 game during the first round of competition Monday.

“He (Straka) really earned it so it’s yes and no on how I feel about it,” said Reinsel, who had the league’s top average of 228 this season. “I have one more year to go, so it’s fine with me. Winning the team title means a lot more than the singles.”

The girls tournament will begin today at 3:45 p.m. at Berks Lanes. The second round will take place Tuesday at the same time and place.

•Contact John O’Connor at 610-371-5026 or e-mail joconnor@readingeagle.com